Saxenda - supply shortage
Ongoing
liraglutide
Shortage
Human
Shortage information
An increase in demand for Saxenda led to intermittent supply shortages in 2023 and 2024. The supply situation of Saxenda has now improved but shortages remain in some EU countries and may continue until the end of 2025.
Saxenda is a medicine used along with diet and increased physical activity to help manage weight in:
- adults who have obesity (a body-mass index – BMI – of 30 or more);
- adults who are overweight (have a BMI between 27 and 30) and have weight-related complications such as type 2 diabetes, abnormally high levels of fat in the blood, high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnoea (frequent interruption of breathing during sleep);
- adolescents from 12 years of age who have a BMI of 30 or more (obesity) and who weigh more than 60 kg.
For further information on the use of the medicine please refer to the medicine’s overview page.
An increase in demand for Saxenda led to intermittent supply shortages in 2023 and 2024. The supply situation of Saxenda has now improved but shortages remain in some countries and may continue until the end of 2025. The supply shortage is not related to a quality defect of the product or a safety issue.
The shortage is affecting some EU Member States. For up-to-date information about the status of a medicine shortage in a particular EU/EEA Member State, consult the national shortage register or contact the national competent authority.
EMA’s Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG) and EMA’s shortages working party (Medicines Shortages Single Point of Contact – SPOC - Working Party) are closely monitoring the supply situation and engaging with the marketing authorisation holder to mitigate the impact of the supply shortage.
To mitigate the shortages in the affected Member States, the marketing authorisation holder is actively working to increase the supplies of Saxenda in the affected markets, to ensure that it remains accessible for patients who are most in need. The SPOC Working Party supports EMA’s MSSG and monitors and reports events that could affect the supply of medicines in the EU.
- If Saxenda is unavailable healthcare professionals should ensure that patients at risk of running out of Saxenda are switched in time to a suitable alternative based on their clinical judgement and local guidelines.
- For additional information consult your country’s national shortage register or contact your national competent authority.
- If you are at risk of running out of Saxenda you should make an appointment with your healthcare professional who may switch to a suitable alternative, if Saxenda is not available.
- If you have any questions, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
- For additional information consult your country’s national shortage register or contact your national competent authority.
Key facts
- Medicines affected
- Saxenda
- Supply shortage status
- Ongoing
- International non-proprietary name (INN) or common name
- liraglutide
- Therapeutic area (MESH)
- Obesity
- Overweight
- Pharmaceutical forms affected
- Solution for injection in pre-filled pen
- Strengths affected
- 6 mg/ml
- Availability of alternatives
- Yes
Key dates
- Expected resolution
- End of 2025
- First published
- Last updated